okay, so this is either '95 or '96... I'm either 15 or 16.
I have a lot of family in EL and was visiting for Christmas. we went to mass & my uncle (UM grad) told me to hold a pew for the rest of the family. I'm sitting there right on the end, and this guy walks up with his wife and asks me to move so they can sit down there. I say sorry, that I'm reserving the pew for family that is on the way. He starts getting pissy about it, and says something like "oh really? The whole Pew?"
I forget exactly what I said back, but it was something like "YES the whole thing." I guess the annoyance in my voice was noticeable because a couple people turned around. Then he shook his head and walked away.
My uncle walked over laughing and said "You just told Nick Saban where he could stick it."
I had no idea who the guy was.
The other thing I remember is that it was still early and he could've easily sat in dozens of other places, both closer to & further away from the altar, if he wanted.
This sort of thing could never happen again, because of course, Saban left MSU after Plaxico Burress decided not to stay for another season, & I stopped going to church because it's totally gay.